Mexico Ethnobotanical Plants

CLASS » Some Mexican Shamanic Plants » an Introduction » July 29

This class will cover the cultivation and propagation of, and the historical and practical uses of, the following Mexican Shamanic plants: Calea zacatechichi, Chocolate, Datura, Ololiuhqui, Salvia divinorum and Sinicuichi. There will be a hands-on demonstration of propagation. The class is 50 pesos and class size is very limited. Recommended reading is Plants of the Gods, by Christian Ratsch and Richard Schultes. Plants will be available for purchase at the end of the class.

This is an introductory, though very specialized class and is not recommended for those who do not have a sincere interest in shamanic plants.

The class begins at 11AM on Sunday, July 29.
The class location is on the rooftop garden of the the XPlantation in Colonia Buenos Aires, Puerto Vallarta. Directions will be emailed upon registration.
To register or for more information, email ojorojo (at) xplanta.com.

A brief description of the plants to be covered:

Calea zacatechichi, thle-pelakano (Maya, â€œLeaf of godâ€). The dried leaves of this plant were used by the Chontal Mayans of Tabasco State, Mexico, for obtaining visions during sleep.

Datura innoxia, toloache (Aztec, â€œnoddingâ€). A dangerous shamanic plant used by many cultures in Mexico for divination.

Heimia salicifolia, sinicuiche (Aztec, â€œSun openerâ€). The wilted leaves of this plant, crushed and fermented in water, were used as a sleep hallucinogen by the Aztecs in Mexico.

Salvia divinorum, ska pastora. The leaves of this sage, dried or fresh, were (are) made into a tea and drunk or the dried leaves are smoked or the fresh leaves are chewed to produce short-term, intense hallucinations by the Mazatec Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico.

Turbina corymbosa, Ololiuhqui (Aztec, â€œThat which causes turnsâ€). A morning glory relative whose seeds are used by many Mexican cultures to produce hallucinations.

Theobroma cacao, cacahuatl. (Aztec, â€œchocolateâ€). The seeds of this tree are prepared for use as a stimulant.